George Szirtes

Delayed

They were going to the city but the train
was late. There would be problems. What
to do now, to ring ahead and explain?
But would the bar be open then or shut?
Anxiety and anger led to drink.
They had the tins, there was a natural thirst
and night was coming on. Too late to think
of other trips, to see who’d come off worst.
It’s always late, moaned Duncan. Paul agreed.
Then Mark piped up with a joke and Martin swore.
When it arrived the train was at half speed
and there’d be no point in going anymore.
The night weighed with them, heavy with its dirt.
There would be trouble. Someone would get hurt.